Well it’s that time of year again. No, not the just the Christmas season, cold and flu season. I hate seeing people sick with a cold. Colds are dumb and no fun.

During the colder months, people tend to be less active, eat more sugar, and get less fresh air and sunshine… All of which contribute to a less resilient immune system and make you more susceptible to coming down with a cold or flu.

And while I will be the first to admit that it’s no fun to be sick, there are lots of easy, natural things to help prevent catching a cold or flu, or get better faster.

My husband and I hardly ever get a full blown cold because of all the things we do to help keep our immune system strong and resilient.

But, when we do occasionally get sick, we are able to get better WAY faster than our average neighbor using the following techniques.

Please know that we are NOT DOCTORS, nor do we pretend to be on the internet. Use your brain, if you are legit sick and not getting better, go see one of those awesome folks with an M.D. or D.O. or D.C. behind their name. We are not doctor haters. They spent lotsa years in school learning lotsa lotsa stuff.

Also, FYI if you buy stuff using the links in this post, we will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Scouts honor, these are actual products that we use ourselves and recommend to our pals. My Mama whooped me for lying, remember?

2. Cut out ALL dairy

3. Use Young Living Essential Oils as often as possible

Essential oils have been a game changer for us. Really. We were healthy before, but these powerful tools in tiny bottles have taken our healthy kid game to a WHOLE. NOTHA. LEVEL. If we are feelin a little crummy we’ll use Thieves oil literally every 15 minutes if we can. We use this oil at least once a day on a regular basis, but when we are feeling less than stellar or have been around sickos we use it more often.

Other favs include: Purification, Oregano, Eucalyptus Globulus, Peppermint, Melrose, Lemon, and Joy. It is MUCH easier for your body to utilize and benefit from the use of essential oils when used frequently in smaller quantities.

I get it, there are a ton of different essential oil companies out there. And most of them are cheaper than Young Living.

However, if you want the actual therapeutic benefits and not just the smelly-goods, I can ONLY recommend Young Living with confidence.

These ALL increase your body’s ability to fight off infection. Most people need nutritional supplementation even when their immune system isn’t compromised. We ALL need extra boosts to help get our body get better faster. Beware of many supplements, especially Vitamin C supplements as they are often chalked FULL of sugar and other crap. Again, it is most helpful to break your supplementation up throughout the day and not take it ALL at once.

7. Blow your nose.

Please for the love of all that’s holy, don’t sniffle. Your body is trying to get rid of the excess mucus. Go buy a big ol package of Puffs Plus tissues and go to town.

8. Get some light exercise in

Even a brisk walk helps to stimulate your lymphatic system and get that junk moving OUT of your body so that you can get over that cold faster.

9. REST. Get extra sleep.

Go to bed EARLY. The human body is designed to rest best when it’s dark outside. My wise Grandma told me that your best sleep happens between the hours of 10 pm and 2am. Try your guts out to be asleep by 10. This will help you get over a cold faster more than we would often like to admit.